18 August 2026

An oil and gas company called Woodside Energy is shutting down a few of its oil production platforms off the Gippsland coast, and it wants to get feedback from mob about what it should do with the steel structures that are left down on the ocean floor.

The decommissioned platforms are between 35 and 80 kms off the coast, opposite Golden Beach and Loch Sport.

There are a few different options for decommissioning, which basically boil down to leaving some or all of the steel structures down there, or taking it all away.

In order to hear from community, Woodside is putting on a community information session at GLaWAC’s Kalimna campus on Wednesday, August 26.

You will be able to hear directly from Woodside staff, learn about the different options, and ask questions about what decommissioning could mean for Sea Country and community.

The information session goes from 9am – 4pm, but you don’t have to stay the whole time – just come for as long as you are able.

Lunch is provided, so please fill in the RSVP form for catering purposes.

If you can only come for part of the day, here’s when the different sessions will be:

• 9 – 9:30am: Welcome to Country and Introduction
• 9:30 – 10:30am: Info about the Gunaikurnai Sea Country Indigenous Protected Area (IPA)
• 10:45am – 12pm: History of oil platforms in the area, and what exists today
• 12 – 12:45pm: Lunch
• 12:45 – 1:15pm: Recap and summarise feedback
• 1:15 – 2:15pm: What happens if the structures remain?
• 2:15 – 3pm: What happens if structures are removed?
• 3:15 – 4pm: Recap and discuss next steps

GLaWAC’s goal is that the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas infrastructure supports the healing and long-term protection of Gunaikurnai Country.

Offshore oil and gas operations have historically impacted Gunaikurnai lands and seas without delivering economic or other tangible benefits to Gunaikurnai people, while contributing to cumulative cultural, environmental and social harm.

Decommissioning represents an opportunity to correct these inequities, embed Traditional Owner leadership, and ensure decommissioning activities uphold cultural, ecological and community wellbeing across Katungal (Sea Country) and Wurruk (land).

GLaWAC encourages Gunaikurnai who would like to learn more about the project and have their voices heard to attend.

Your knowledge and perspectives are important. Come along, have a yarn, learn more about the options being considered, and help shape the conversation about the future of this infrastructure on Sea Country.

The information session goes from 8:30am – 4pm, but you don’t have to stay the whole time – just come for as long as you are able.

Lunch is provided. If you haven’t already, please fill in the RSVP form for catering purposes.